UH Manoa hosts discussions on East Asian culture and peace

UH Mānoa is hosting two events on November 3 and 4 featuring international scholars, artists and influential leaders from China, Japan, Korea, Hawaiʻi and the mainland U.S. to discuss traditional East Asian culture and its possible role in fostering peace and understanding in Asia and the Pacific.

The events, organized by Chado Urasenke, are annual gatherings being held for the first time in Hawaiʻi in commemoration of the UH Centennial. It was held in 2004 in Tianjin, China, in 2005 in Seoul, Korea, and last year in Tokyo, Japan. Both events are free and open to the public but require advance registration.

· The 4th East Asian Tea Culture Symposium on Saturday, November 3, 9:30 a.m.-4:40 p.m., at the East-West Center‘s Imin Center, Keoni Auditorium. Dr. Genshitsu Sen, 15th generation Grand Tea Master of Urasenke, Japan's premier school of tea ceremony, will speak about the spirit of Chado or the Way of Tea, and its promotion of world peace.

Other featured speakers will be Dr. Wayne Farris, Sōshitsu Sen XV Distinguished Professor of Traditional Japanese Culture and History; Tokumasa Miyagi, President of the Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, speaking about Okinawan pottery; Dr. Xiao Li, Assistant Dean, Business School, China University of Political Science and Law, on "Court Tea Ceremony during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) Dynasties";Dr. Herbert Plutschow, Professor, Jōsai International University, on "A Ritual Approach to the Study of Chanoyu";Dr. Jeon-Yull Park, Director, Institute for Korean and Japanese Culture, Chung-Ang University, on "Japan‘s Tea Culture in the Tearoom"; andDr. Yukihiro Kurasawa, Professor, Takarazuka University of Art and Design, on the philosophy of Wabicha.

· 4th Panel Discussion on Culture and Peace in East Asia, on Sunday, November 4, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the East-West Center‘s Imin Center, Keoni Auditorium. Keynote address by Dr. Paul Varley, Emeritus Sōshitsu Sen XV Distinguished Professor of Traditional Japanese Culture and History, on "Japanese Culture and Changing World Views of Japan."

Other featured speakers will be Dr. Kent Calder, Director, Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies, Johns Hopkins University, on "Moving Beyond the Broken Dialogue: Asia‘s Role and a New Form of Diplomacy. Why is Cultural Diplomacy so Important in Today‘s World?";Moon-Doh Huh, Chairman, World Peace and Food Forum;Panel discussion on the significance of cultural diplomacy, with moderator, Dr. Yong-Woon Kim, Chairman of Korea-Japan Cultural Exchange Council, and panelists: Dr. Genshitsu Sen, Chado Urasenke 15th Generation Grand Tea Master; Shiqiu Chen, Council Member, United Nations Association of China; and Soo-Gil Park, Honorary President, United Nations Association of the Republic of Korea.

The Symposium will focus on traditional arts and culture, while the discussions on the second day will focus on cultural diplomacy (also known as "soft power"), which has become a key element of international relations within East Asia and between East Asia and the rest of the world. Though most of the speakers will give presentations in their native language, all sessions will include English interpretation.

Space is limited and pre registration is required through the Center for Japanese Studies: www.hawaii.edu/cjs

Symposium & Panel Discussion sponsors and supporters: UH Mānoa, Chado Urasenke, Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu, United Nations Association of Japanese, and the East-West Center.